Petr Cech is convinced that the Emirates’ low attendance on Tuesday night during Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Sunderland was down to the match being postponed.

  • Only half the stadium appeared to be full during Arsenal’s vital win
  • Cech claims he had 15 friends and family who couldn’t make it
  • Wenger blamed low attendance on day of the week and opposition

Arsenal’s clash against the Black Cats was originally set to take place on 22 April. However, the Gunners’ FA Cup semi-final match against Manchester City was also scheduled for this date. Therefore, the Sunderland game was pushed back.

Cech reckons that this is the reason for the vast amount of red seats on display at the Emirates on Tuesday night.

“Well, I think the game was postponed, so for example I had 15 tickets where the people couldn’t turn up because they obviously bought the flights for the other game which was due to be at the weekend,” the goalkeeper told Arsenal’s website.

“I think it’s due to you not only have people coming from London.

“People are working and people are committed to it and obviously when they buy the ticket the game gets postponed, sometimes it’s hard for them to turn up and I think this is always when you have postponed the game, not everybody can turn up.

“I think that was the case, but the people who came up, they tried to create the atmosphere and as a player, obviously you don’t look what’s in the stands. You are there to win and need to win and it was a crucial game for us.

“We needed to give ourselves a chance and we gave ourselves a chance.”

Arsene Wenger also spoke on the issue post-match, as many believe the lack of bums on seats was down to a fan protest. However, the boss appeared to be equally as oblivious, claiming that it was because it was a Tuesday night match against a relegated team.

According to the boss, Sunday’s final Premier League game against Everton has sold out so we’ll see how that goes…